Wing for an implement

ABSTRACT

Wing component for use with an implement that is coupleable with a power machine. The wing component includes a stationary portion configured to be mounted to the implement and having a wing support. A wing portion is slidably coupled to the wing support such that the wing portion is configured to move laterally relative to the wing support. A biasing mechanism is coupled to the wing portion and is configured to provide a biasing force to bias the wing portion relative to the wing support.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/258,063, filed Nov. 20, 2015.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure is directed toward implements for power machines.More particularly, the present disclosure is related to implements andaccessories used to clear material such as snow, sand, gravel and thelike from a support surface.

Power machines, for the purposes of this disclosure, include any type ofmachine that generates power for the purpose of accomplishing aparticular task or a variety of tasks. One type of power machine is awork vehicle. Work vehicles, such as loaders, are generallyself-propelled vehicles that have a work device, such as a lift arm(although some work vehicles can have other work devices) that can bemanipulated to perform a work function. Work vehicles include loaders,excavators, utility vehicles, tractors, and trenchers, to name a fewexamples.

A variety of implements are available for mounting on an implementcarrier of a power machine to accomplish various work tasks. One suchimplement is a bucket used to push, lift, load, or otherwise movevarious materials. In some applications, where material is being removedfrom an area directly adjacent to a wall (such as along an exterior orinterior of a building), fence, or other structure, it is oftendifficult to remove the material directly adjacent to the structurewithout having the implement make contact with the object andpotentially damaging the structure.

The discussion above is merely provided for general backgroundinformation and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining thescope of the claimed subject matter.

SUMMARY

This Summary and the Abstract are provided to introduce a selection ofconcepts in a simplified form that are further described below in theDetailed Description. The Summary and the Abstract are not intended toidentify key features or essential features of the claimed subjectmatter.

Disclosed are embodiments of accessories and implements each having wingcomponents. A portion of these wing components are moveable undercontact so that if the wing would make contact with a structure such asa wall or a fence, the wing will move to limit damage to the contactedstructure. In accordance with some embodiments, an accessory includes astationary portion configured to be mounted to an implement and having awing support. A wing portion is slidably coupled to the wing supportsuch that the wing portion is configured to move laterally relative tothe wing support. A biasing mechanism is coupled to the wing portion andis configured to provide a biasing force to bias the wing portionrelative to the wing support.

In accordance with some embodiments, an accessory includes a stationarymember and a wing portion moveable relative to the stationary member byup to a maximum distance. A position indicator is configured to providea visual indication of a remaining portion of the maximum distance thatthe wing portion can move relative to the stationary member.

In accordance with some embodiments, an implement configured to bemountable to a power machine is provided. The implement includes a sidewall and a stationary wing support fixedly coupled to the side wall andextending outward at an angle relative to the side wall. A wing portionof the implement is slidably coupled to the wing support such that thewing portion is configured to move laterally relative to the wingsupport. A biasing mechanism of the implement is coupled to the wingportion and is configured to provide a biasing force to bias the wingportion relative to the wing support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating functional systems of arepresentative power machine on which implements according to theembodiments of the present disclosure can be advantageously practiced.

FIGS. 2-3 illustrate perspective views of a power machine on which animplement having a wing can be advantageously employed.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of an implement with a wingaccessory in accordance with some exemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 5-6 illustrate a bucket implement with wing accessories mountedthereon according to one illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates the wing accessory of FIG. 6 free from attachmentwith an implement and with a wing portion removed.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the wing accessory of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 illustrates a portion of the wing accessory of FIG. 6 showing aposition indicator in more detail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The concepts disclosed in this discussion are described and illustratedwith reference to exemplary embodiments. These concepts, however, arenot limited in their application to the details of construction and thearrangement of components in the illustrative embodiments and arecapable of being practiced or being carried out in various other ways.The terminology in this document is used for the purpose of descriptionand should not be regarded as limiting. Words such as “including,”“comprising,” and “having” and variations thereof as used herein aremeant to encompass the items listed thereafter, equivalents thereof, aswell as additional items.

The present disclosure includes a wing accessory configured to beremovably attached to an implement such as a bucket to allow theimplement to be used to move a material in close proximity to a buildingor structure. The disclosure also includes implements having the wingcomponents permanently attached to, or integrated with, the implement.In various embodiments, a wing portion is collapsible or laterallyslidable relative to a wing support such that the wing portion canengage a building or structure either without causing damage to thestructure or causing less damage than would otherwise occur if theimplement engaged the structure.

These concepts can be practiced on various power machines, as will bedescribed below. A representative power machine on which the embodimentscan be practiced is illustrated in diagram form in FIG. 1. Powermachines, for the purposes of this discussion, include a frame, at leastone work element, and a power source that is capable of providing powerto the work element to accomplish a work task. One type of power machineis a loader.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram including the basic systems of aloader type of power machine 100 upon which the embodiments discussedbelow can be advantageously incorporated. The block diagram of FIG. 1identifies various systems on power machine 100 and the relationshipbetween various components and systems. The power machine 100 has aframe 110, a power source 120, and a work element 130. Because powermachine 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a self-propelled power machine, it alsohas tractive elements 140, which are themselves work elements providedto move the power machine over a support surface and an operator station150 that provides an operating position for controlling the workelements of the power machine. A control system 160 is provided tointeract with the other systems to perform various work tasks at leastin part in response to control signals provided by an operator.

Certain power machines have work elements that are capable of performinga dedicated task. For example, some power machines have a lift arm towhich an implement, such as a bucket, is attached such as by a pinningarrangement. The work element, i.e., the lift arm can be manipulated toposition the implement for the purpose of performing the task. Theimplement, in some instances can be positioned relative to the workelement, such as by rotating a bucket relative to a lift arm, to furtherposition the implement. Under normal operation of such a power machine,the bucket is intended to be attached and under use. Such power machinesmay be able to accept other implements by disassembling theimplement/work element combination and reassembling another implement inplace of the original bucket. Other power machines, however, areintended to be used with a wide variety of implements and have animplement interface such as implement interface 170 shown in FIG. 1. Atits most basic, implement interface 170 is a connection mechanismbetween the frame 110 or a work element 130 and an implement, which canbe as simple as a connection point for attaching an implement directlyto the frame 110 or a work element 130 or more complex, as discussedbelow. In exemplary embodiments, implements connected to implementinterface 170 include the wing components described below in greaterdetail as either integral components or as a wing accessory.

On some power machines, implement interface 170 can include an implementcarrier, which is a physical structure movably attached to a workelement. The implement carrier has engagement features and lockingfeatures to accept and secure any of a number of implements to the workelement. One characteristic of such an implement carrier is that once animplement is attached to it, it is fixed to the implement (i.e. notmovable with respect to the implement) and when the implement carrier ismoved with respect to the work element, the implement moves with theimplement carrier. The term implement carrier as used herein is notmerely a pivotal connection point, but rather a dedicated devicespecifically intended to accept and be secured to various differentimplements. The implement carrier itself is mountable to a work element130 such as a lift arm or the frame 110. Implement interface 170 canalso include one or more power sources for providing power to one ormore work elements on an implement. Some power machines can have aplurality of work element with implement interfaces, each of which may,but need not, have an implement carrier for receiving implements. Someother power machines can have a work element with a plurality ofimplement interfaces so that a single work element can accept aplurality of implements simultaneously. Each of these implementinterfaces can, but need not, have an implement carrier.

Frame 110 includes a physical structure that can support various othercomponents that are attached thereto or positioned thereon. The frame110 can include any number of individual components. Some power machineshave frames that are rigid. That is, no part of the frame is movablewith respect to another part of the frame. Other power machines have atleast one portion that is capable of moving with respect to anotherportion of the frame.

Frame 110 supports the power source 120, which is capable of providingpower to one or more work elements 130 including the one or moretractive elements 140, as well as, in some instances, providing powerfor use by an attached implement via implement interface 170. Power fromthe power source 120 can be provided directly to any of the workelements 130, tractive elements 140, and implement interfaces 170.Alternatively, power from the power source 120 can be provided to acontrol system 160, which in turn selectively provides power to theelements that capable of using it to perform a work function. Powersources for power machines typically include an engine such as aninternal combustion engine and a power conversion system such as amechanical transmission or a hydraulic system that is capable ofconverting the output from an engine into a form of power that is usableby a work element. Other types of power sources can be incorporated intopower machines, including electrical sources or a combination of powersources, known generally as hybrid power sources.

FIG. 1 shows a single work element designated as work element 130, butvarious power machines can have any number of work elements. Workelements are typically attached to the frame of the power machine andmovable with respect to the frame when performing a work task. Inaddition, tractive elements 140 are a special case of work element inthat their work function is generally to move the power machine 100 overa support surface. Tractive elements 140 are shown separate from thework element 130 because many power machines have additional workelements besides tractive elements, although that is not always thecase. Power machines can have any number of tractive elements, some orall of which can receive power from the power source 120 to propel thepower machine 100. Tractive elements can be, for example, trackassemblies, wheels attached to an axle, and the like. Tractive elementscan be mounted to the frame such that movement of the tractive elementis limited to rotation about an axle (so that steering is accomplishedby a skidding action) or, alternatively, pivotally mounted to the frameto accomplish steering by pivoting the tractive element with respect tothe frame.

Power machine 100 includes an operator station 150 that includes anoperating position from which an operator can control operation of thepower machine. Further, some power machines such as power machine 100and others may be capable of being operated remotely (i.e. from aremotely located operator station) instead of or in addition to anoperator station adjacent or on the power machine. This can includeapplications where at least some of the operator controlled functions ofthe power machine can be operated from an operating position associatedwith an implement that is coupled to the power machine. Alternatively,with some power machines, a remote control device can be provided (i.e.remote from both of the power machine and any implement to which is itcoupled) that is capable of controlling at least some of the operatorcontrolled functions on the power machine.

FIGS. 2-3 illustrate a loader 200, which is one particular example of apower machine of the type illustrated in FIG. 1 where the embodimentsdiscussed below can be advantageously employed. More particularly,loader 200 is of the type that can accept implements that have a wing orimplements to which a wing accessory can be attached. Loader 200 is atrack loader and more particularly, a compact tracked loader. A trackloader is a loader that has endless tracks as tractive elements (asopposed to wheels). Other loaders can have wheels instead of tracks.Track loader 200 is one particular example of the power machine 100illustrated broadly in FIG. 1 and discussed above. To that end, featuresof loader 200 described below include reference numbers that aregenerally similar to those used in FIG. 1. For example, loader 200 isdescribed as having a frame 210, just as power machine 100 has a frame110. Track loader 200 is described herein to provide a reference forunderstanding one environment on which the embodiments described belowrelated to track assemblies and mounting elements for mounting the trackassemblies to a power machine may be practiced. The loader 200 shouldnot be considered limiting especially as to the description of featuresthat loader 200 may have described herein that are not essential to thedisclosed embodiments and thus may or may not be included in powermachines other than loader 200 upon which the embodiments disclosedbelow may be advantageously practiced. Unless specifically notedotherwise, embodiments disclosed below can be practiced on a variety ofpower machines, with the track loader 200 being only one of those powermachines. For example, some or all of the concepts discussed below canbe practiced on many other types of track work vehicles such as variousother loaders, excavators, trenchers, and dozers, to name but a fewexamples.

Loader 200 includes frame 210 that supports a power system 220, thepower system being capable of generating or otherwise providing powerfor operating various functions on the power machine. Frame 210 alsosupports a work element in the form of a lift arm structure 230 that ispowered by the power system 220 and is capable of performing variouswork tasks. As loader 200 is a work vehicle, frame 210 also supports atraction system 240, which is also powered by power system 220 and iscapable of propelling the power machine over a support surface. The liftarm structure 230 in turn supports an implement carrier interface 270,which includes an implement carrier 272 that is capable of receiving andsecuring various implements to the loader 200 for performing variouswork tasks and power couplers 274, which are provided to selectiveprovide power to an implement that might be connected to the loader. Theimplement carrier interface 270 can receive implements of the type thathave wings or wing accessories, as discussed below. The loader 200 canbe operated from within a cab 250 from which an operator can manipulatevarious control devices 260 to cause the power machine to performvarious functions. Cab 250 can be pivoted back about an axis thatextends through mounts 254 to access components as needed formaintenance and repair.

Various power machines that are capable of including and/or interactingwith the embodiments discussed below can have various different framecomponents that support various work elements. The elements of frame 210discussed herein are provided for illustrative purposes and should notbe considered to be the only type of frame that a power machine on whichthe embodiments can be practiced can employ. Frame 210 of loader 200includes an undercarriage or lower portion 211 of the frame and amainframe or upper portion 212 of the frame that is supported by theundercarriage. The mainframe 212 of loader 200 is attached to theundercarriage 211 such as with fasteners or by welding the undercarriageto the mainframe. Mainframe 212 includes a pair of upright portions 214Aand 214B located on either side and toward the rear of the mainframethat support lift arm structure 230 and to which the lift arm structure230 is pivotally attached. The lift arm structure 230 is illustrativelypinned to each of the upright portions 214A and 214B. The combination ofmounting features on the upright portions 214A and 214B and the lift armstructure 230 and mounting hardware (including pins used to pin the liftarm structure to the mainframe 212) are collectively referred to asjoints 216A and 216B (one is located on each of the upright portions214) for the purposes of this discussion. Joints 216A and 216B arealigned along an axis 218 so that the lift arm structure is capable ofpivoting, as discussed below, with respect to the frame 210 about axis218. Other power machines may not include upright portions on eitherside of the frame, or may not have a lift arm structure that ismountable to upright portions on either side and toward the rear of theframe. For example, some power machines may have a single arm, mountedto a single side of the power machine or to a front or rear end of thepower machine. Other machines can have a plurality of work elements,including a plurality of lift arms, each of which is mounted to themachine in its own configuration. Frame 210 also supports a pair oftractive elements 219A and 219B on either side of the loader 200, whichon loader 200 are track assemblies.

The lift arm structure 230 shown in FIG. 1 is one example of manydifferent types of lift arm structures that can be attached to a powermachine such as loader 200 or other power machines on which embodimentsof the present discussion can be practiced. The lift arm structure 230has a pair of lift arms 234 that are disposed on opposing sides of theframe 210. A first end of each of the lift arms 234 is pivotally coupledto the power machine at joints 216 and a second end 232B of each of thelift arms is positioned forward of the frame 210 when in a loweredposition as shown in FIG. 2. The lift arm structure 230 is moveable(i.e. the lift arm structure can be raised and lowered) under control ofthe loader 200 with respect to the frame 210. That movement (i.e. theraising and lowering of the lift arm structure 230) is described by atravel path, shown generally by arrow 237. For the purposes of thisdiscussion, the travel path 237 of the lift arm structure 230 is definedby the path of movement of the second end 232B of the lift armstructure.

Each of the lift arms 234 of lift arm structure 230 as shown in FIG. 2includes a first portion 234A and a second portion 234B that ispivotally coupled to the first portion 234A. The first portion 234A ofeach lift arm 234 is pivotally coupled to the frame 210 at one of thejoints 216 and the second portion 234B extends from its connection tothe first portion 234A to the second end 232B of the lift arm structure230. The lift arms 234 are each coupled to a cross member 236 that isattached to the first portions 234A. Cross member 236 provides increasedstructural stability to the lift arm structure 230. A pair of actuators238, which on loader 200 are hydraulic cylinders configured to receivepressurized fluid from power system 220, are pivotally coupled to boththe frame 210 and the lift arms 234 at pivotable joints 238A and 238B,respectively, on either side of the loader 200. The actuators 238 aresometimes referred to individually and collectively as lift cylinders.Actuation (i.e., extension and retraction) of the actuators 238 causethe lift arm structure 230 to pivot about joints 216 and thereby beraised and lowered along a fixed path illustrated by arrow 237. Each ofa pair of control links 217 are pivotally mounted to the frame 210 andone of the lift arms 232 on either side of the frame 210. The controllinks 217 help to define the fixed travel path of the lift arm structure230. The lift arm structure 230 shown in FIG. 2 is representative of onetype of lift arm structure that may be coupled to the power machine 100.Other lift arm structures, with different geometries, components, andarrangements can be pivotally coupled to the loader 200 or other powermachines upon which the embodiments discussed herein can be practicedwithout departing from the scope of the present discussion. For example,other machines can have lift arm structures with lift arms that each hasone portion (as opposed to the two portions 234A and 234B of lift arm234) that is pivotally coupled to a frame at one end with the other endbeing positioned in front of the frame. Other lift arm structures canhave an extendable or telescoping lift arm. Still other lift armstructures can have several (i.e. more than two) portions segments orportions. Some lift arms, most notably lift arms on excavators but alsopossible on loaders, may have portions that are controllable to pivotwith respect to another segment instead of moving in concert (i.e. alonga pre-determined path) as is the case in the lift arm structure 230shown in FIG. 2. Some power machines have lift arm structures with asingle lift arm, such as is known in excavators or even some loaders andother power machines. Other power machines can have a plurality of liftarm structures, each being independent of the other(s).

Implement interface 270 is provided at a second end 234B of the arm 234.The implement interface 270 includes an implement carrier 272 that iscapable of accepting and securing a variety of different implements tothe lift arm 230. Such implements have a machine interface that isconfigured to be engaged with the implement carrier 272. The implementcarrier 272 is pivotally mounted to the second end 234B of the arm 234.Implement carrier actuators are operably coupled the lift arm structure230 and the implement carrier 272 and are operable to rotate theimplement carrier with respect to the lift arm structure.

The implement interface 270 also includes an implement power source 274available for connection to an implement on the lift arm structure 230.The implement power source 274 includes pressurized hydraulic fluid portto which an implement can be coupled. The pressurized hydraulic fluidport selectively provides pressurized hydraulic fluid for powering oneor more functions or actuators on an implement. The implement powersource can also include an electrical power source for poweringelectrical actuators and/or an electronic controller on an implement.The implement power source 274 also exemplarily includes electricalconduits that are in communication with a data bus on the excavator 200to allow communication between a controller on an implement andelectronic devices on the loader 200.

The lower frame 211 supports and has attached to it a pair of tractiveelements 219A and 219B. Each of the tractive elements 219A and 219B hasa track frame that is coupled to the lower frame 211. The track framesupports and is surrounded by an endless track, which rotates underpower to propel the loader 200 over a support surface. Various elementsare coupled to or otherwise supported by the track frame for engagingand supporting the endless track and cause it to rotate about the trackframe. For example, a sprocket is supported by the track frame andengages the endless track to cause the endless track to rotate about thetrack frame. An idler is held against the track by a tensioner (notshown) to maintain proper tension on the track. The track frame alsosupports a plurality of rollers, which engage the track and, through thetrack, the support surface to support and distribute the weight of theloader 200.

Loaders can include human-machine interfaces including display devicesthat are provided in the cab to give indications of informationrelatable to the operation of the power machines in a form that can besensed by an operator, such as, for example audible and/or visualindications. Audible indications can be made in the form of buzzers,bells, and the like or via verbal communication. Visual indications canbe made in the form of graphs, lights, icons, gauges, alphanumericcharacters, and the like. Displays can be dedicated to provide dedicatedindications, such as warning lights or gauges, or dynamic to provideprogrammable information, including programmable display devices such asmonitors of various sizes and capabilities. Display devices can providediagnostic information, troubleshooting information, instructionalinformation, and various other types of information that assists anoperator with operation of the power machine or an implement coupled tothe power machine. Other information that may be useful for an operatorcan also be provided.

The description of power machine 100 and loader 200 above is providedfor illustrative purposes, to provide illustrative environments on whichthe embodiments discussed below can be practiced. While the embodimentsdiscussed can be practiced on a power machine such as is generallydescribed by the power machine 100 shown in the block diagram of FIG. 1and more particularly on a loader such as track loader 200, unlessotherwise noted or recited, the concepts discussed below are notintended to be limited in their application to the environmentsspecifically described above.

FIG. 4, is a block diagram that illustrates an implement 310 operablycoupled to a power machine 300. Power machine 300 is of the typegenerally discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1-3 and can be any typeof work vehicle that is capable of having such an implement operablycoupled to it. Implement 310 is coupled to the power machine along alateral plane 342 (for example, implement 310 can be coupled to a powermachine via an implement carrier such as is discussed above). In manyembodiments, implements are rotatable with respect to power machines, sothe lateral connection plane moves with respect to the power machine asthe implement rotates. Typically, however, the lateral plane isperpendicular to a centerline 336 of the power machine 300. Centerline336 in FIG. 4 also refers to the centerline of implement 310—thus thecenterline of the implement is also perpendicular to the lateral plane342. Implement 310 is shown as having a pair of wings 320 operablycoupled on each of left and right sides of the implement. The wings 320have features that allow use of implement 310 to remove materialdirectly adjacent structure 305 while reducing the likelihood ofdamaging the adjacent structure. In the illustrated embodiment,implement 310 has wings on each of the left and right sides of theimplement, though that need not be the case. In some embodiments, wingsof the type illustrated in FIG. 4 are permanently coupled to animplement and are considered part of the implement. In otherembodiments, wings are removably coupled to the implement. Fordiscussion purposes, only one of the illustrated wing accessories shownin FIG. 4 are discussed, as the wing accessories can be substantiallyidentical to one another. In some embodiments, an implement may haveonly one wing component or one wing accessory. The implement 310 shownin FIG. 4 is illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit thisdisclosure merely to implements with wings of the type shown anddescribed herein. More particularly, in some embodiments, wings such asthose shown and discussed herein are intended to be attached toimplements that were otherwise not designed to have such wings attachedthereto. For the purposes of this discussion, wings that are capable ofbeing operably coupled to implements that were otherwise not originallydesigned to have such wings are referred to in this discussion as wingaccessories. Wings that are capable of being coupled, permanently orotherwise, to an implement specifically designed to accept them are, forthe purposes of this discussion, wing components. The term wing asdescribed herein can be either a wing accessory or a wing component.

The features of wing 320 allow the wing to move or collapse a certainamount in the event of contact with a structure such as structure 305 soas to reduce damage to the structure in the event of contact between thewing and the structure as opposed to having another portion of animplement that might make contact with a structure (such as a side edgeof a bucket). Implement 310 can be any of a variety of differentimplement types, but in exemplary embodiments discussed herein is abucket type of implement used to push, load, or otherwise move material.Other types of implements that may advantageously incorporate wingsinclude push blades and snow blowers, to name two.

Wing 320 includes a stationary portion 322 configured to be removablymounted to, or permanently fixedly attached to or integrally formedwith, the implement 310. In some embodiments, stationary portion 322includes a mounting plate 323 that is configured to be positionedadjacent and substantially parallel to a side wall or other structure330 of the implement to attach wing 320 to the implement usingconventional fasteners such as bolts. In other embodiments, otherattachment structures can include cams, over center latches, or otherstructures that do not require tools to couple or uncouple the wing fromthe implement. In some other embodiments, mounting plate 323 can be morepermanently attached to structure 330, for example by welding. Also, insome embodiments, wing 320 can be partially integrally formed withstructure 330. In yet other embodiments, the wing is adapted to mount toother surfaces on the implement that are not substantially perpendicularto a lateral plane along which an implement is coupled to a powermachine as an endplate of a bucket is like, for example, a front or backsurface of a push blade, which may be substantially parallel to thelateral plane 342. In those types of applications, at least a portion ofthe mounting plate 323 may be parallel to the lateral plane 342.

Stationary portion 322 includes a wing support 324 that extends from themounting plate 323 or structure 330 at an angle Θ with reference todashed line 334 extending parallel to mounting plate 323 and structure330. In these or other embodiments, wing support 324 also extends atangle Θ relative to centerline 336 of implement 310, regardless of theorientation of the mounting plate 323. It must be noted that wingsupport 324 is stationary relative to implement 310 in that it remainssubstantially stationary relative to the structure 330 of the implement,with no pivot or sliding mechanism between stationary portion 324 andthe implement. However, remaining stationary or substantially stationaryincludes minor flexing of the stationary portion under sufficient loads.

The wing 320 also includes a wing portion 326 that is slidably coupled,for example, by using a sliding mechanism 329, to the wing support 324such that the wing portion is configured to move laterally relative tothe wing support. In exemplary embodiments, wing portion 326 is coupledto wing support 324 such that wing portion 326 is configured to move ina plane that is parallel to a surface of the wing support, that is, thewing portion is positioned at angle Θ with respect to the centerline336. Angle Θ is selected to funnel material toward the main portion ofthe implement 310. Another consideration of the selection of angle Θ isfor visibility so that an operator in a power machine can easily see theentire wing portion 326 from an operating position. This can beadvantageous in situations where a single accessory is adapted to beused with a variety of different implements. The plane of the movementof the wing portion 326 relative to wing support 324 is parallel to line327. Wing portion 326 is rigidly defined with respect to wing support324, but in some embodiments, the wing portion can be hinged orotherwise attached to allow for adjustment of the wing portion relativeto the wing support 324 and thereby change the plane 327. In exemplaryembodiments, the slidable coupling of the wing portion to the wingsupport substantially prevents movement (e.g., not including flexing,etc.) of the wing portion in directions other than in the plane that isparallel to the surface of the wing support. The coupling structurebetween wing portion 326 and wing support 324 allows for a range ofmovement or travel of the wing portion relative to the wing support. Aflexible member 340 is, in some embodiments, attached to a distal end ofwing portion 326 to allow contact between the wing portion and structure305 reducing the likelihood and/or severity of damage to the contactedstructure. In addition, as discussed above, the wing portion 326, bybeing capable of moving with respect to the wing support 324, allows forgive in the wing so that if a structure is contacted, the wing gives,also reducing the likelihood and/or severity of damage to the contactedstructure.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, a biasing mechanism 328 is coupled to the wingportion 326 and is configured to provide a biasing force to bias thewing portion to a bias position relative to the wing support. Forexample, the biasing mechanism 328 can bias wing portion 326 to a fullyextended position to maximize material funneling into implement 310 andto keep the implement and stationary components of the wing accessory adistance from structure 305. In some exemplary embodiments, the biasingmechanism 328 includes one or more springs coupled between the wingportion and the wing support. The springs can be used to set the biasforce or tension required to move wing portion 326 relative to wingsupport 324. In some embodiments, the one or more springs or springmembers can be adjustable to set the bias force. In other embodiments,the number of springs used can be adjusted to set the bias force.

In some embodiments, wing 320 includes an indicator 345 configured toprovide a visual indication of the remaining portion of the maximumdistance 345 that the wing portion can move relative to the wingsupport. With visual indicator 345, an operator of the power machinecan, with more certainty, continue to move the power machine forwardafter contact occurs between structure 305 and wing portion 326. Thisallows an operator to deliberately contact a structure and haveknowledge as to how much more the wing can collapse before it becomesrigid and more likely to cause damage to the structure or the wingitself.

FIG. 5 illustrates an implement 410 in the form of a bucket that can beattached to a power machine such as a skid-steer loader, a compact trackloader, and various other types of power machines as discussed above.Implement 410 is shown with wings 420 mounted on both sides of theimplement. Wings 420 shown in FIG. 5 and subsequent figures areadvantageously capable of being mounted on either of a left side or aright side of an implement. In other words, the wings 420 shown in FIG.5 are not mirror images of each other, but identical components. Likewing 320 above, wing 420 includes a stationary portion, 422 thatincludes a mounting portion 423 and a wing support 424, and a wingportion 426 that is slidable with respect to the wing support 424. Thewing portion 426 is removed from the wing mounted on the right side(from the perspective of an operator sitting in operator compartment) ofthe implement 410 to show components of sliding mechanism 429 on thewing support 424. FIG. 6 illustrates the components of the left sidewing accessory 420 shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is an illustration ofportions of the wing accessory with the wing portion removed. FIG. 8illustrates a back side view of the left side wing accessory 420illustrates further components of sliding mechanism 429 and springs ofbias mechanism 428. The discussion below is in references to thesefigures. Wing 420 is removably mounted to the bucket 410 via a pluralityof fasteners 470 and 474. In some embodiments, a wing component can bepermanently secured to or integrated with a bucket.

Mounting portion 423, which is best shown in FIGS. 7-8, includes aplurality of mounting apertures 472 and 476 through which fasteners canbe inserted to secure the wing 420 to an implement. The apertures 472and 476 are patterned so that the wing 420 can be attached to either ofthe left or the right side of an implement. A pair of shims 478 is shownin in FIG. 7. The shims can be used to adjust to implements such asbuckets that may have a side edge that is not planar with an end plate.The shims 478 are used to keep the mounting portion 423 in a plane thatis generally parallel with the implement. Shims can be positionedin-line with mounting apertures and held by the same fasteners thatattach the wing 420 to an implement or they can be otherwise attached tothe wing such as by welding.

Sliding mechanism 429 includes multiple spacer members or spacers 405that in some embodiments are attached to the wing portion 426 andpositioned between wing portion 426 and wing support 424, the spacers405 are contacted by the wing portion 426 as it slides relative to thewing support 424. The spaces 405 allow for a consistent distance betweenthe wing portion 426 and the wing support 424 as well as a low frictionsurface over which the wing portion can slide without causingsubstantial wear damage to either the wing portion or the wing support.Spacers 405 can be made of an ultra-high molecular weight plasticmaterial, which will wear slowly over time. Also included in wingsupport 424 are slots 416 through which a back plate 430 (shown in FIG.6) is movably attached to wing portion 426 using bolts 412.

The back side view of wing 420 shown in FIG. 8 illustrates furtherspacers 438 on the back of wing support 424. Spacers 438 similar to thespacers 405 and are positioned between back plate 430 and the wingsupport 424 to maintain a consistent distance between the wing supportand the back plate, and to allow movement of the back plate relative tothe wing support without causing wear damage to either. The wing support424 also has sliding blocks 480 mounted on top and bottom surfacesthereof. Sliding blocks 480 are advantageously made of a wear resistantmaterial such as ultra-high molecular weight plastic and are removablymounted to the top and bottom surfaces of the wing support 424. Thesliding blocks 480 are provided to act as wear surfaces that engage asupport surface during operation. Back plate 430 is slidably attached towing portion 426 using the bolts 412 which extend through slots 416 inwing support 424, thereby allowing back plate 430 and wing portion 426to move together relative to wing support 424. Springs 440 are connectedbetween wing support 424 and back plate 430 to provide the biasmechanism and bias force to wing portion 426 as described above. A tab482 extends from the wing support 424, and one end of springs 440attaches to tab 482. The other end of each of the springs is attached tothe back plate 430 via a bracket 484. The springs 440 bias the wingportion 426 in an extended position. Springs 440 are adjustable relativeto each of the tabs to which there are attached to allow for varyingbiasing forces, as may be desired. Two springs 440 are shown, but anynumber of springs may be used as necessary to obtain a desired biasingforce.

A position indicator 460 is also included and is configured to provide avisual indication of a remaining portion of the maximum distance (e.g.,indicator 345 shown in FIG. 4) that the wing portion can move relativeto the stationary member. In an exemplary embodiment, the positionindicator 460 includes a tab 462 attached to, or formed integrally with,back plate 430. Tab 462 extends through a slot 464 formed in a flange473 at the top of stationary member 424 and is visible to an operator ofthe power machine. As back plate 430 and wing portion 426 each moverelative to stationary member or wing support 424, tab 462 moves withinslot 464 to provide the visual indication of the remaining portion ofthe maximum distance that the wing portion can move relative to thestationary member. Similarly, tab 462A extends through a slot 464A sothat wing 420 can have a visible indicator regardless of which side ofthe implement it is attached.

A bearing 450 is carried on each of four bolts 412. The bearings 450 arecaptured on the bolts on the opposing side of the back plate 430 and arepositioned such that each bearing runs in one of the slots 416 in thewing support 424 to facilitate smooth movement of the wing portion 426with respect to the wing support 424. Stops 452 and 454 are positionedin the path of back plate 430 to define the range of movement of thewing portion 426.

The embodiments discussed above provide important advantages. Byproviding a wing accessory or component for a bucket or other implement,an operator can clear material such as snow, grain, sand, and the likeright up to a wall of a building or other structure while minimizing thechance of damaging the structure. By confining movement of the wingportion of the implement to a linear movement and by providing a visualindicator of how far a wing portion has moved relative to the stationaryportion of the wing component or accessory so that an operator can seehow much more the wing can move before the wing movement is limited.

Although the present invention has been described with reference topreferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wing that is removably mountable to animplement comprising: a stationary portion configured to be mounted tothe implement and having a wing support; a wing portion slidably coupledto the wing support such that the wing portion is configured to movelaterally relative to the wing support; and a biasing mechanism coupledto the wing portion and configured to provide a biasing force to biasthe wing portion relative to the wing support.
 2. The wing of claim 1,wherein the stationary portion is configured to be mounted to a sidewall of the implement.
 3. The wing of claim 2, wherein the stationaryportion includes a mounting plate configured to be positioned adjacentand substantially parallel to the side wall of the implement, andwherein the wing support extends from the mounting plate at an angle. 4.The wing of claim 3, wherein the wing portion is allowed to move in aplane that is parallel to a surface of the wing support.
 5. The wing ofclaim 4, wherein the wing portion is slidably coupled to the wingsupport such that the wing portion is prevented from movement indirections other than in the plane that is parallel to the surface ofthe wing support.
 6. The wing of claim 1 wherein the stationary portionis configured to be mounted to the implement and is substantiallyperpendicular to a lateral plane along which the implement is attachedto a power machine.
 7. The wing of claim 1, wherein the biasingmechanism comprises a spring member coupled between the wing portion andthe wing support.
 8. The wing of claim 1 and further comprising asliding mechanism slidably coupling the wing portion to the wingsupport.
 9. The wing of claim 8, wherein the sliding mechanism is abearing captured in an aperture formed into the wing support.
 10. Thewing of claim 1, and further comprising an indicator wherein the wingportion is configured to move laterally relative to the wing supportalong a range of movement, and wherein an indicator provides a visualindication of the position of the wing portion relative to the availablerange of motion.
 11. An implement configured to be mounted to a powermachine, the implement comprising; a frame; a wing support fixedlycoupled to the frame and extending outward at an angle relative to theframe; a wing portion slidably coupled to the wing support such that thewing portion is configured to move laterally relative to the wingsupport; and a biasing mechanism coupled to the wing portion andconfigured to provide a biasing force to bias the wing portion relativeto the wing support.
 12. The implement of claim 11, wherein the wingportion is allowed to move in a plane that is parallel to a surface ofthe wing support.
 13. The implement of claim 12, wherein the wingportion is slidably coupled to the wing support such that the wingportion is prevented from movement in directions other than in the planethat is parallel to the surface of the wing support.
 14. The implementof claim 11, wherein the frame includes an attachment structureextending along a lateral plane for mounting the implement to a powermachine and wherein the wing support includes a first portion thatextends perpendicularly with respect to the lateral plane and a secondportion that extends at an angle to the first portion.
 15. The implementof claim 11, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises at least one springmember coupled between the wing portion and the wing support.
 16. Theimplement of claim 11 and further comprising a sliding mechanismslidably coupling the wing portion to the wing support.
 17. Theimplement of claim 11, wherein the wing portion is configured to movelaterally relative to the wing along a range of movement, and furthercomprising an indicator that provides a visual indication of theposition of the wing portion relative to the available range of motion.18. The implement of claim 17 wherein the indicator includes an apertureform in the second portion and a tab that extends through and moveswithin the aperture.
 19. The implement of claim 11 wherein the implementis one of a bucket, a snowblade, a sweeping implement, and a snowblower.20. The implement of claim 11, wherein the frame includes a materialhandling mechanism and wherein the wing portion is disposed at an anglewith respect to the frame so as to engage and urge material toward thematerial handling mechanism.
 21. A wing for an implement comprising: astationary member; a moveable portion moveable relative to thestationary member along a range of movement; and a position indicatorconfigured to provide a visual indication of the position of the wingportion relative to the available range of motion.
 22. The wing of claim21 and further comprising a biasing mechanism coupled to the moveableportion and to the stationary member and configured to provide a biasingforce to bias the moveable portion relative to the stationary member.23. The wing of claim 22, wherein the stationary member furthercomprises a wing support configured to be mounted to the implement, andwherein the moveable portion is configured to move laterally relative tothe wing support.
 24. The wing of claim 23, wherein the stationarymember further comprises a mounting plate configured to be positionedadjacent and substantially parallel to a side wall of the implement, andwherein the wing support of the stationary member extends from themounting plate at an angle.
 25. A wing for mounting on an implementcomprising: a stationary portion capable of being coupled to theimplement; a moveable portion that is moveable relative to thestationary portion along a range of movement; and wherein the wing isconfigured to be coupled to each of first and second sides of theimplement and provide a visual indication to an operator of the positionof the moveable part within the range of motion when attached to eitherof the first and second sides of the implement without modification ofthe wing.
 26. The wing of claim 25 and further comprising: first andsecond position indicators configured to provide a visual indication ofthe position of the wing portion relative to the available range ofmotion; and wherein the first position indicator is visible when thewing is mounted on a first side of the implement and the second positionindicator is visible when the wing is mounted on a second side of theimplement.